“It was Built by the Pathans”: What We Know About the Dwarka Baoli Blog Report by Diptarka Datta
“Issko pathaano ne banwaya tha. Usse zyada toh kuchh pata nahi.” [This (baoli) was built by the Pathans. I do not know anything more about this.] There is probably only this much that one knows about the Dwarka Baoli. The information board put up by INTACH and the State Archaeology Department also could not tell us anything more about who might have actually patronized the construction of this Baoli, than what the caretaker at the site told us. Thus, when the ancient past of this Baoli failed us, we thought it worthwhile to reconstruct its modern histories—what one would otherwise call its “afterlife.” Figure I: The information board at the Baoli Who are we? Why are we here, at the Dwarka Baoli? I do not think our “Baoli Gang” (read, Baoli girls) needs much introduction now (if you do not already know who the “Baoli Gang” is, a reading of the previous blog articles is highly recommended!). After covering multiple Baolis in Delhi, thi